Merge pull request #45165 from fsmunoz/kubernetes-book-club

Add Kubernetes Book Club article

Author: k8s-ci-robot

content/en/blog/_posts/2024-02-22-k8s-book-club/csantana_k8s_book_club.jpg

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+------
+layout: blog
+title: "A look into the Kubernetes Book Club"
+slug: k8s-book-club
+date: 2024-02-22
+canonicalUrl: https://www.k8s.dev/blog/2024/02/22/k8s-book-club/
+---
+
+**Author**: Frederico Muñoz (SAS Institute)
+
+Learning Kubernetes and the entire ecosystem of technologies around it is not without its
+challenges. In this interview, we will talk with [Carlos Santana
+(AWS)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/csantanapr/) to learn a bit more about how he created the
+[Kubernetes Book Club](https://community.cncf.io/kubernetes-virtual-book-club/), how it works, and
+how anyone can join in to take advantage of a community-based learning experience.
+
+![Carlos Santana speaking at KubeCon NA 2023](csantana_k8s_book_club.jpg)
+
+**Frederico Muñoz (FSM)**: Hello Carlos, thank you so much for your availability. To start with,
+could you tell us a bit about yourself?
+
+**Carlos Santana (CS)**: Of course. My experience in deploying Kubernetes in production six
+years ago opened the door for me to join [Knative](https://knative.dev/) and then contribute to
+Kubernetes through the Release Team. Working on upstream Kubernetes has been one of the best
+experiences I've had in open-source. Over the past two years, in my role as a Senior Specialist
+Solutions Architect at AWS, I have been assisting large enterprises build their internal developer
+platforms (IDP) on top of Kubernetes. Going forward, my open source contributions are directed
+towards [CNOE](https://cnoe.io/) and CNCF projects like [Argo](https://github.com/argoproj),
+[Crossplane](https://www.crossplane.io/), and [Backstage](https://www.cncf.io/projects/backstage/).
+
+## Creating the Book Club
+
+**FSM**: So your path led you to Kubernetes, and at that point what was the motivating factor for
+starting the Book Club?
+
+**CS**: The idea for the Kubernetes Book Club sprang from a casual suggestion during a
+[TGIK](https://github.com/vmware-archive/tgik) livestream. For me, it was more than just about
+reading a book; it was about creating a learning community. This platform has not only been a source
+of knowledge but also a support system, especially during the challenging times of the
+pandemic. It's gratifying to see how this initiative has helped members cope and grow. The first
+book [Production
+Kubernetes](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/production-kubernetes/9781492092292/) took 36
+weeks, when we started on March 5th 2021. Currently don't take that long to cover a book, one or two
+chapters per week.
+
+**FSM**: Could you describe the way the Kubernetes Book Club works? How do you select the books and how
+do you go through them?
+
+**CS**: We collectively choose books based on the interests and needs of the group. This practical
+approach helps members, especially beginners, grasp complex concepts more easily. We have two weekly
+series, one for the EMEA timezone, and I organize the US one. Each organizer works with their co-host
+and picks a book on Slack, then sets up a lineup of hosts for a couple of weeks to discuss each
+chapter.
+
+**FSM**: If I’m not mistaken, the Kubernetes Book Club is in its 17th book, which is significant: is
+there any secret recipe for keeping things active?
+
+**CS**: The secret to keeping the club active and engaging lies in a couple of key factors.
+
+Firstly, consistency has been crucial. We strive to maintain a regular schedule, only cancelling
+meetups for major events like holidays or KubeCon. This regularity helps members stay engaged and
+builds a reliable community.
+
+Secondly, making the sessions interesting and interactive has been vital. For instance, I often
+introduce pop-up quizzes during the meetups, which not only tests members' understanding but also
+adds an element of fun. This approach keeps the content relatable and helps members understand how
+theoretical concepts are applied in real-world scenarios.
+
+## Topics covered in the Book Club
+
+**FSM**: The main topics of the books have been Kubernetes, GitOps, Security, SRE, and
+Observability: is this a reflection of the cloud native landscape, especially in terms of
+popularity?
+
+**CS**: Our journey began with 'Production Kubernetes', setting the tone for our focus on practical,
+production-ready solutions. Since then, we've delved into various aspects of the CNCF landscape,
+aligning our books with a different theme.  Each theme, whether it be Security, Observability, or
+Service Mesh, is chosen based on its relevance and demand within the community. For instance, in our
+recent themes on Kubernetes Certifications, we brought the book authors into our fold as active
+hosts, enriching our discussions with their expertise.
+
+**FSM**: I know that the project had recent changes, namely being integrated into the CNCF as a
+[Cloud Native Community Group](https://community.cncf.io/). Could you talk a bit about this change?
+
+**CS**: The CNCF graciously accepted the book club as a Cloud Native Community Group. This is a
+significant development that has streamlined our operations and expanded our reach. This alignment
+has been instrumental in enhancing our administrative capabilities, similar to those used by
+Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) meetups. Now, we have a more robust structure for memberships, event
+scheduling, mailing lists, hosting web conferences, and recording sessions.
+
+**FSM**: How has your involvement with the CNCF impacted the growth and engagement of the Kubernetes
+Book Club over the past six months?
+
+
+**CS**: Since becoming part of the CNCF community six months ago, we've witnessed significant
+quantitative changes within the Kubernetes Book Club. Our membership has surged to over 600 members,
+and we've successfully organized and conducted more than 40 events during this period. What's even
+more promising is the consistent turnout, with an average of 30 attendees per event. This growth and
+engagement are clear indicators of the positive influence of our CNCF affiliation on the Kubernetes
+Book Club's reach and impact in the community.
+
+
+## Joining the Book Club
+
+FSM: For anyone wanting to join, what should they do?
+
+**CS**: There are three steps to join:
+
+- First, join the [Kubernetes Book Club
+  Community](https://community.cncf.io/kubernetes-virtual-book-club/)
+- Then RSVP to the
+  [events](https://community.cncf.io/kubernetes-virtual-book-club/)
+  on the community page
+- Lastly, join the CNCF Slack channel
+  [#kubernetes-book-club](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C05EYA14P37).
+
+**FSM**: Excellent, thank you! Any final comments you would like to share?
+
+**CS**: The Kubernetes Book Club is more than just a group of professionals discussing books; it's a
+vibrant community and amazing volunteers that help organize and host [Neependra
+Khare](https://www.linkedin.com/in/neependra/), [Eric
+Smalling](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsmalling/), [Sevi
+Karakulak](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevikarakulak/), [Chad
+M. Crowell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadmcrowell/), and [Walid (CNJ)
+Shaari](https://www.linkedin.com/in/walidshaari/). Look us up at KubeCon and get your Kubernetes
+Book Club sticker!